Speakers Reviews

I was at first very enamored with these speakers and wrote a positive review, however after time I realized that they look good but don't quite measure up to others out there. For instance, at the office the hardware "3D" effect makes listening to streaming audio (e.g., NPR) difficult and hazy, even with the effect "switched off". Even my music sounds distorted on these speakers, I do not recommend them.

with a minor in audiophilism, i pride my self on making my ears happy. ive over a grand sunk into my car stereo, so you can imagine my interest. currently im runnin a set of altec lansing run-o-the-mill 45.2's i think theyre called; v'hadem for maybe a year or two. i bought the ex4's for a friend, with some package deal from benwin direct and tested them out on my rig, to be fo sho; i was literally astounded at their sound quality.
included in the package was (for an xtra ten bucks) some benwin s-50's. not only did i have to re-eq my winamp to compensate for the high end loss (in the ex4s), turn down all my gains to about 10 percent, but the 10 dollar cheapo speaks were easily 2x better. better overall lack of distortion, better max volume (w/o distortion), more even sound stage. in short: these are a joke. compared to the ex 4s, my altecs shine, shine like they never have before.
unfortunatly the falicy lies in the technology: the flat panel is mounted to a tweeter basically, so you get what you can imagine a tweeter with a piece of plastic stuck to its front, sounds like.

This speakers are really nice. They look really cool and they were pretty cheap. I would recommend these to anyone who wants some stylish speakers for a good price. They have a 3D mode option which is nice for gaming. And if it doesn't sound that great you just switch to "regular" mode and they still sound nice.

Bose has made a name for itself through agressive advertising at the expense of quality audio technology. Simply put, there are dozens of audio loudspeakers on the market that outperform Bose at a fraction of the price. This has been a well known fact in the audio industry and among audio buffs for at least twenty five years.

Unfortunately the mass of consumers isn't aware of the quality problems with Bose as compared to other speakers on the market. A few years ago Consumer Reports gave an honest appraisal of Bose speakers- ranking them very low. Bose sued and lost. Now all reputable audio magazines such as Stereophile or Absolute Sound stay far away from Bose products.

If you are really interested in sound performance and you'd like to stay on amazon.com try JBL, Polk, Wharfedale or Cambridge Audio. While not cutting edge audio, they'll deliver a MUCH BETTER sound performance than Bose could ever aspire to.

Bose is over rated in the mind of consumers due to their aggresive marketing stretegy. Ask any audiophiles what they think of Bose. There are other companies that make better spaekers like:

Wharfedale diamond series with kevlar cones
Paradigm
Psb
Tannoy mx-series
Polk Rt-series
MB Quart
Niles audio

Go with one of those, and you will be pleasantly surprised...
Happy listening to you all...

I have the version with a black wood finish, but the cherry ones sound just the same. They look very nice on a wood bookshelf, appearing very hi-end. Confuse your friends by blasting some Wu-Tang out of them!

These speakers are redesigned for 2003, and I think the bass response sounds better. If you're on a budget, or don't need to rock any houseparties with your system, you could just go with these as your primary speakers. But if you want a truly awesome home theater system, these make GREAT rear-channel speakers.

Plus they give amazing sound for being a little bigger than a toaster.

I own these speakers and have been quite disappointed. In my view the quality of operation is very poor. My suggestion is to avoid them.

When I saw the other rviews I just had to say something. We've had a pair of these for several years and we love them. They do not like having mobile phones around but otherwise they are great. I don't know about speakers quitting working, etc., but I wonder if those folks' batteries went dead. We did have to replace a battery once.

I've had my WSP200 speakers for several years and have never had any trouble. And I move them all over the house, wherever I want to hear whatever I'm streaming over the Internet. They work in mono or you can place two speakers in the same room and switch one to the left channel and one to the right, and get stereo. I'm going to buy a couple more.

Well I've had these speakers for about a year now. At first I thought I'd get used to them, and they sounded okay for some things. I have them mounted on the wall with the included wall mounts. Have not touched them and they still fell apart. The flat panel on one of them simply came unglued and fell off. They also don't handle good loud sound very well. I would not recommend these to anyone. I only paid [a small amount] for them brand new so a lesson learned is a lesson learned. Cheap is cheap.

Although visually appealing, the sound that these speakers produce is best described as exceedingly thin. The flat panels seems incapable of producing any midrange balance, resulting in a tinny, trebley, overall crappy sound. The subwoofer is barely functional and cranks out muddled tones.

I suppose that if you had incredibly limited desktop space, and that sound quality was a complete nonissue, and you really care about the visual aesthetics of your speakers, then this lame audio set-up was built for you. Otherwise, save your money and buy something else.

While the speakers were alarmingly thin, their sound meshes well with the sub-woofer. The sound is full and dynamic, with a nice range. While, you can't crank the volume, it does give a fairly loud performance with little or no distortion. I, too, was a bit surprised at how small the speakers were--slightly larger than my open hand, but a quick listen dispelled my fears. And, they look awesome!

This modem worked great for us with Win XP, however - after uninstalling this modem and going on to DSL, the darn MODEM ON HOLD UTILITY won't leave me alone. I don't remember ever asking the install to load this. It did, though, and now it won't go away! I would love to know how to uninstall this! I did not ever use it in the first place. It comes up in my system tray over and over and I have to close it down every time I restart my computer and I can't even find it in my system! I HATE programs like this that hide from me and I have no control over them... especially when they are useless! Grrr...

Got the modem in 2 days from Amazon although they promised 3-7 business days - WAY TO GO AMAZON!!! You Rock!

I got the retail box to replace my US Robotics PCI 56K Voice OEM modem because it turned out that I could not get drivers for Windows XP and the XP recognized it as regular Fax/Data modem (i,e - no voice functionality).

Installation was pretty easy although I spent a few hours on it and a few phone calls to tech support who were very attentive and helpfull.
The problem I experienced is because Windows XP automatically assign the modem with IRQ. In most cases windows will share the same IRQ between different items. This approach usually works however sometimes it creates conflicts although windows shows none. So the only thing you can do, is start moving the card from one slot to the other and rebooting, until windows will assign the right combination of IRQ. Given that you need to uninstall and reinstall the drivers for each slot, this can take some time. However it is only fair to say THIS ISN't CREATIVE's fault. it can happen with any card.

As for the modem itself, I got it so I can use its speakerphone functionality to participate in conference calls. Unfortunately the software that comes with this modem doesn't even worth the CD it is printed on. Although the internet is full of free utilities I would love to see this product shipped with a couple more decent try-and-buy products (...) That's why I gave it only 4 stars.

Other than that I did not test the modem with internet connection. The fax and voice works just fine. This modem worth the price.

I'll say it upfront. I had an Actiontec modem. I replaced it with the Modem Blaster V.92 PCI. Immediately, my connection speed increased more than 200%, and my download speed by 300%! The biggest problem is installation. This surprised me coming from a Creative Labs product. I was used to easy installation. I am running Win XP. Apparently, when this modem was issued, Win XP was just being introduced. The included installation disc was useless. So, my computer wouldn't recognize it as a Modem Blaster V.92, just as a generic 56K modem, using the enclosed installation disc. I made the mistake of taking out my previous modem before I installed this one. Take my advice. Leave your old modem in, go to Creative's web site, and download the latest driver for Win XP. I didn't do this, and had to install this modem as a generic 56K, then download the updated driver. However, after I downloaded the updated driver, I uninstalled the Modem Blaster (listed as a generic 56K modem), and reinstalled it with the new driver. Wow! It is so much better than what I had. Even installed as a generic modem it was sooo much better. It's important to install it as a Modem Blaster V.92 modem because you get the "call waiting" feature, which is huge to me, although you need to download the XP update for this feature also. It's not hard to navigate the Creative web site. Just make sure the model number of your modem matches that of the downloads. Overall, I am very happy, after getting over my frustration with the initial install. Take my advice, and you can shortcut the frustration I felt and have a flawless install, and you will be happy with the performance. That's the bottom line: performance, and this modem has delivered for me. By the way, I live out in the boondocks, where connection speed is hard to come by. This modem has boosted my speed almost to the level of my mom's DSL speed at her office ( the difference is very, very small, except for downloads)!

Scott

After purchasing a HDTV and a DVD player the next step was to get a speaker system and receiver. I had some limitations on the size of the speakers I could use, so naturally I thought of Bose. After using these speakers for about 20 days I had returned these speakers because of the lack of sound, what I mean by lack of sound is that I could hear humps from the speakers to the base module and distortion it got very annoying. One thing a person will notice very quickly about Bose is that there speakers don't need a lot of watts to get loud, (loud does not mean they are good speakers). I end up going with Round Sound (aka. Anthony Gallo Acoustics) A' Diva speakers much cleaner sound. If you are in the market for small speakers I would highly recommend giving Round Sound a look.

Bose is a testament to the power of advertising over product. In many ways it is a fascinating company whose products are based on late 1960's theories of audio using tweeters and woofers that Radio Shack parts outperform. This has been known for years in audio circles where Bose products are held in very low esteem. Check any issue of Stereophile, Absolute Sound, What HIFI or do a google search for Audioreview and epinions- you won't find Bose products held in any high regard. Yet uninformed consumers buy into it.

Bose has designed a system which probably costs them less than $400 in parts to build and retails them for several times that amount. Yet consumers still buy into this. Incredible.

Bose has made a name for itself by aiming its advertising towards consumers with little or no knowledge of audio equipment. It sells speakers and systems like this that are of poorer quality and absolutely worse performance than its competitors. I know, I owned several Bose products for years (901s, 301s and 201s) until I began to learn more about audio technology and quality. I was literally blown away by the quality of mid-fi Polk speakers when placed next to Bose products. Polk isn't "cutting edge" but builds a decently designed product for its price point.

Amazon carries Polk, JBL and Wharfedale ANY of whom offer decent mid-fi loudspeakers with substantially better engineered electronics and drivers. Most important of all these speakers sound much better than Bose for around $250 to $1000.

This system is an unbeliveable upgrade to your crappy home theatre system. Each of those little speakers can go up to 100 watts of power handling. Although small, they are probably louder than your bookshelf speaker, although these would not be nearly anything without the sub. The sub can handle very very high amounts of bass, this is the best sub you will see. This is the best speaker system of all time, this is half off right now, the price is normally double, don't miss your chance, I know I didn't.

It's amazing that consumers who wouldn't be caught dead driving a substandard car such as a Yugo or AMC Gremlin would devote themselves to the audio equivalent called the Bose 301 (or any Bose product for that matter). This can only be attributed to the lack of consumer knowledge and a strong advertising campaign by Bose.

In the audio industry it's a well acknowledged fact that Bose isn't an industry leader in either technology nor audio quality. In fact you will never see Bose products advertised or reviewed in Stereophile (not since the early '70s), The Absolute Sound nor any other serious audio/video publication. Why? Bose is a known sub-standard product.

But, year after year, unknowing consumers flock to the product blissfully unaware that they can buy better quality for the same money elsewhere. After making their purchase they stoutly defend Bose while at the same time knowing very little about audio. Few know what a crossover is or I would bet, understand the deficiencies the Bose drivers have (if they know what a driver is).

I am after all a former Bose 201, 301 and 901 owner. Good riddance to bad rubbish.

Bose is a fascinating case study of what the power of advertising can do for a product that is cheaply made and outperformed by nearly all of its competition. Based on audio theories from the 1960's and parts of lower quality than what can be bought at Radio Shack, Bose has built an incredible empire out of poorly designed products.

Consumers should do their research before shelling out money for Bose speakers. A google search will bring you to epinions or audioreview websites where you can find review after review from buyers of Bose products.

The commonly accepted wisdom in audio circles is that Bose makes low audio quality products and sells them at very high prices. In other words those Polk, JBL, Wharfedale or Infinity mid-fi products you can find at Amazon are usually higher quality at much better price points.

Compare the sound if you ever get a chance. Make sure you DO NOT depend on volume, in other words volume is a bad indicater of quality. Listen for the high and low notes and to the clarity of the music. Tough to do in a showroom at Circuit City or Best Buy, but even there the differences will show up. Bose attempts to prevent consumers from doing this by segregating their products away from the competition.

After this you might look at online audio magazines (do a google search), Audioreview (one word) and Audiogon. You'll find whole NEW world of audio products such as PSB, Paradigm, Vandersteen, Quad, Sonus Faber, ACI and many more who's products will put you on a much higher level of audio than you'd ever imagine. Usually these speakers are SEVERAL times more electronically sophisticated than Bose at the same price! Good luck and happy hunting!

This review is actually for the pair of Bose 301 Series III direct/reflecting loud speakers that I bought way back in 1993 and is a testament to the quality of Bose speakers and specifically the 301 series speakers. I originally purchased them as the front speakers in a system but replaced them in the front with Bose 401's and put the 301's in the rear as surround speakers.

In either the capacity of front or rear/surround speakers, the model 301 works beautifully to enhance the listening experience whether as a home theater system for DVD's or just straight out stereo or CD playback. As further testament to the quality of these speakers, if you're seriously interested in purchasing the Model 301 Series V speakers; I've been using the Series III speakers for almost eleven years now and they work just as brilliantly today as they did when I first took them out of the box and this includes several moves since I'm in the military.

Although these speakers have now been replaced with the Bose Acoustimass 10 Series III Home Theater Speaker System on my primary system, they are now featured as the primary speakers in a second system and are providing crisp and clear high quality sound, made that much better by the direct/reflecting feature which serves beautifully in enhancing the listening experience.

I highly recommend the Bose 301 Series V Loudspeakers to any and all who're looking for high quality sound at an affordable price. As a note of caution, these speakers are not magnetically shielded so I would also recommend either the wall/ceiling mounts or the floor stands that Bose specifically manufactures for these incredible speakers, both at highly affordable prices. {ssintrepid}

Just hope dosnt break, JBL has what looks like nice warranty, but in practice they are IMPOSSIBLE to contact. Take it to authorize repair center, tell you take MONTHS for JBL to send parts. Just try contacting JBL, be ready to take week off, thats how much work it will require JUST to get a live person to speak to you. When I did, said would fax authrorization to fix speaker to center, NEVER DID.
Just bought another speaker, not JBL. Last time these creeps get my money

JBL state have long warranty, just try to get one of these speakers fixed. Can get ahold people, wont return calls. Take it to authorized repair center, tell you JBL takes MONTHS to get replacement part. Just try contact JBL, GOOD LUCK!!! Last time I spend money on ANY JBL product

I bought a pair of these to go with my DVD player and I have never been disappointed. I use a realtively cheap AIWA receiver, and I get fantastic sound quality from movies and music. Heck, even watching broadcast TV and my hi-fi VCR produce stunning sound. I've never heard any distortion coming from the speakers, and I've played some funky CD's with extremely low and high frequencies. However, I live in a 1 bedroom apartment and I do not play it at very high levels for long periods of time. They can get extremely loud and the bass is VERY deep, no need for a subwoofer that I can see. 5 stars for the speakers, 3 stars for the amazon.com price. Still a good deal for this kind of sound quality!

The KLH ASW8-100 is a thouroughly dissappointing specimen. My experience with other KLH products prompted me to order this thing from Amazon. Amazon is getting it back. I considered keeping it for one of my computers. But I cannot justify keeping this when for only 30 bucks more I can get another ASW10-120. Spend the extra ($). Avoid the 8", prone-to-pop, inaccurate, bland, unimpressive ASW8-100. Also, Its amp is rated at 100 watts.

I have a set of Cambridge Soundworks Microworks speakers, and they sound excellent at medium volume, but the subwoofer is pathetic. At low volume, the cubes lack clarity. So, I replaced them with Yamaha computer speakers. The Yamahas sound great at low volume (which is how I use them). However, they lack any sort of bass for music or gaming. Therefore, I bought the KLH to add some bottom end. They have deeper bass than the Microworks, but they distort on certain music, even at low volume. Overall, they are acceptable as computer speakers.

If you are thinking of using these speakers for your hi fi, or home theater, then you are in for a disappointment. A very big one. When the volume is turned up, the speakers crack, and pop, even when the volume is less than halfway up. The bass is not particularly deep for DVD soundtracks. It probably goes down to 50 or 60 hz. I have a Yamaha subwoofer for my DVDs, and they sound much cleaner, deeper, and louder. You'll be wasting your money with these.

Overall, KLH sells cheap stuff, and the quality is reflected in the price. However, if you just want a sub to enhance video games, and you don't turn up the volume, then this is a nice option.

We bought this subwoofer (KLH ASW100) from Sam's Club for under $69.00 and after a little adjusting to match our system and our ears we have it performing quite well on our surround sound system connected to our satellite television system. It adds a great deal of enjoynment to both the television programs as well as our video tapes. We are really enjoying this item and feel that it was a great deal as well.

Its nice and all, but what you should do is get the fm radio thing. you can uses that with your house radio and car radio, its much cheaper

This item doesnt look like the best, I would not recommend these. Ever

I just bought this to use instead of the crummy built-in speakers in my notebook computer, and what a great improvement!

When you turn it up, and it gets pretty loud before it starts to distort, there's quite a bit of bass. You can really feel the case vibrate. Also, the imaging is quite good. Very convenient case is a bit larger than a double-CD case.